AN economic strategy which aims to tackle inequality in Edinburgh will go before councillors later this week.
The report to the housing and economy committee on Thursday recognises that although the capital remains the second most prosperous UK city outside London, jobs growth alone has not been sufficient to tackle poverty and deliver sustained improvements in living standards for everyone.
The report says: “Consultations carried out with all political parties and businesses, as well as local communities and the third sector, revealed a consensus of opinion that Edinburgh’s economy should aim to create jobs and inspire innovation but that it should also do much more to ensure that the benefits of that prosperity are accessible to all residents across the city.”
Councillor Gavin Barrie, housing and economy convener, said: “Our economy strategy sees an important shift in the focus of our work to help Edinburgh’s economy to grow.
“It is going from strength to strength and has shown great resilience during tough economic times. The time has come, however, to take a good look at why there are still people living in Edinburgh who are not sharing in this prosperity.
“We need to grow our economy so that it is fair in terms of wages, opportunity, access to housing, education and good careers. Much of that work has already started through our commitment to build 20,000 new affordable homes in the city and the £1.1bn Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region deal, which will provide £300m for world-leading data innovation centres, £25m for a regional skills programme to support improved career opportunities for disadvantaged groups, and £65m of new funding for housing to unlock strategic development sites.
Hugh Rutherford, chairman of the Edinburgh Business Forum, said: “To stay ahead of our global competitors, Edinburgh needs a laser focus on our world-leading sectors – financial services, tech, life sciences, creative industries and tourism.
“But we need more than sectoral growth – we need responsible and sustainable ‘good growth’, making sure everyone benefits in a way that’s not happened before.
“Crucial to the success of this will be the private sector, all levels of education, and the third and public sectors working together to achieve this common goal.”
Ella Simpson, chief executive of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council, said: “I am pleased the strategy explicitly acknowledges poverty and inequality in the city and highlights actions which aim to reduce the impact on people’s lives.
“The strategy needs to recognise the existing communities and people as the bedrock for fair growth in the city and it is important that we provide support to business, from all sectors, to be the best employers they can be.”
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